AT513818A1 - Container for transporting cargo by air - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for the transport of charges in Luftverke consisting of a number of mutually reversibly detachably connectable component, in particular fiber reinforced, polymer material or Verbundmaterial.Erfindungsgemäß is provided that a bottom plate (1) and zw side frame parts (2, 2 ') are mounted on opposite Kant the bottom plate (1) perpendicular to the bottom plate (1), wherein in the area between the side frame parts (2, 2 ') at least three plate elements (4a, 4b, 4 are used, wherein the side frame parts (2 , 2 ') by at least two, in particular normal to the side frame parts (2, 2') aligned, transverse struts (3) connected si and wherein the bottom plate (1), the side frame parts (2, 2 '), the plate elements (4a, 44c ) and the transverse struts (3) are reversibly releasably positively or force-locking connected to each other.

Description

1

Container for transporting cargo by air

The invention relates to a container for the transport of cargoes in air traffic according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

From the prior art containers are in the aviation of different materials and forms are z. B from US3598273 known. Most of the containers are made of metals such as steel or aluminum and have standardized sizes. The containers must withstand shocks and high loads. The known containers therefore have the problem of being very massive and heavy and are therefore expensive to manipulate. Since every kilo counts in air traffic in order to achieve fuel savings and to be able to transport more freight or passengers, the great weight of known containers is a huge disadvantage and a cost-increasing factor. Likewise, the storage of the unused and the transport unloaded containers by the fixed predetermined form space intensive and increases here, too, the highly competitive prices in air traffic. Furthermore, with the ever increasing safety regulations in air traffic, a simple fluoroscopy of the containers is required. Mostly security checks are carried out with metal detectors and / or X-rays. For metallic containers therefore usually an increased effort in the controls is connected, which can lead to time delays again and again.

The object of the invention is to provide a container for the transport of cargoes in air traffic, which has a simple, stable, easy to install and save space storable structure and still has a low weight.

The invention solves this problem in a container of the type mentioned above with the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. It is inventively provided that a bottom plate and two side frame parts are provided which are mounted on opposite edges of the bottom plate perpendicular to the bottom plate. In the area between the side frame parts, at least three plate elements are used, wherein the side frame parts are connected by at least two, in particular normal to the side frame members aligned transverse struts, and the bottom plate, the side frame parts, the plate elements and the cross braces are reversibly releasably positively or non-positively connected to each other.

The structure and the materials used allow for easy assembly of the container. Thanks to the fiber-reinforced materials used, the container is given a higher rigidity with less weight, which makes it possible to achieve a total weight of only 40 kg, which is many times less than the weight of conventional air freight containers. Furthermore, the materials used can easily be checked at security checks without extra effort and therefore save time in manipulation and transport at the airport. By constructing the container from individual components, the parts, such as the plate elements and the side frame parts can be easily stacked and thereby stored to save space.

Further advantageous embodiments of the container are described in the features of the dependent claims:

In order to stabilize the shape of the container better and to simplify the assembly of the container, it can be provided that the cross struts with the side frame members via clips positively or non-positively connectable, the clips with the cross struts and / or the side frame members form-fitting or non-positively connectable are.

An even simpler construction of the container can be realized by four plate elements are used in the area between the side frame parts.

A particularly stable container with easy mounting options of the components can be achieved if the plate elements can be inserted in formed in the side frame members longitudinal grooves.

In order to further reduce the weight of the plate elements, it can be provided that the plate elements comprise a frame, which is covered with a tarpaulin.

In order to store the plate elements even more space-saving and to further reduce the space required for the transport of the dismantled container is provided that the plate elements are plan flat and space saving storable. Thus, the plane-flat plate elements and the side frame parts z. B. are stacked on a pallet and several container elements are stored one above the other or next to each other.

So that individual parts do not fall out during the transport of the freight in the container, it can be provided that the side frame parts have partially closed, in particular a closed and partially closed, side surfaces. With closed side surfaces, here disguised side surfaces are understood. 3/19 3

In order to be able to adapt the shape of the container to different aircraft types and sizes, it is provided that the side frame parts have a trapezoidal section. By this is meant that the side frame parts may have a trapezoidal section instead of a rectangular shape that results from a bevelled corner.

Thus, the container can also be strung together to save space can be provided that the side frame parts are aligned parallel to each other and / or the plate elements are aligned perpendicular to the side frame parts.

In order to make the connection between the bottom element and the side frame parts easier and faster to assemble, it can be provided that the side frame parts have connection points, wherein the connection points in the bottom plate teilversenkt, in particular inserted.

In order to be able to adapt the shape of the container to the usually curved aircraft belly in which the cargo is usually transported, without wasting valuable space in the aircraft, it can be provided that the container extends from the bottom plate obliquely outwardly extending wall portion and one of the having oblique wall portion subsequent, perpendicular to the bottom plate extending wall portion.

The assembly can be further simplified by the components of the container can be connected via connectors.

In security checks, metal objects usually cause problems, so it can be provided that the connectors are made of non-metallic materials.

The load capacity of the bottom plate with low weight increases can be increased if the bottom plate is constructed as a sandwich construction. The sandwich construction is a construction in which several layers of different properties are embedded in a material.

In order to simplify the assembly and to relieve the persons involved in the assembly, it can be provided that the container constructed from the detachably connectable components is designed as a modular system. 4/19 4

Since metal is usually heavier than other materials such as plastic, to further reduce the weight of the container, it can be provided that the container, in particular completely, is free from metallic materials.

Further advantages and embodiment of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and will be described below with reference to the drawings, for example.

They show schematically:

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container,

2a to c show the basic, top and cross elevation of an embodiment of the side frame parts,

3a to c the basic and elevational view and a sectional view A-A of another embodiment of the side frame parts,

4a and b is a plan view and a side view of an embodiment of the bottom plate,

5a and b show a plan view and a side view of an embodiment of the rear plate element,

6a and b show a plan view and a side view of an embodiment of the front lower plate element,

7a and b show a plan view and a side view of an embodiment of the front plate element,

FIGS. 8a and 8b are a plan view and a side view of an embodiment of the upper plate member;

9a and b show a plan view and a side view of an embodiment of a transverse strut,

Fig. 9c is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cross member and

10a-f are perspective views of the assembly of a container according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the container in the assembled state. The bottom plate 1 (Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b) of the container 10, on which the body of the container 10 is constructed, is rectangular and constructed as a sandwich construction. Sandwich constructions may have a foamed or interlayered honeycomb or other intermediate layers. In the bottom plate 1, four connection points 8 'are formed. In the connection points 8 'are two perpendicular to the bottom plate aligned side frame parts 2 and 2' with connection points 8 inserted. The connection points 8 of the side frame parts 2 and 2 'are in the connection points 8' of the bottom plate 1, for fixing the side frame parts 2 and 2 '(Fig. 2, Fig. 3), sunk. The side frame members 2 and 2 'are aligned parallel to each other, form with the bottom plate 1, the backbone of the container 10 and are in this embodiment made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

Containers for aircraft, often also called ULD (Unit Loading Device), are usually adapted to the shape of the aircraft bellies and usually have a sweeping outwardly extending wall section. The side frame members 2 and 2 'may therefore be such as e.g. in Fig. 2 a-c and Fig. 3 a-c have shown a trapezoidal portion. The container 10 has one of the bottom plate 1 obliquely outwardly extending wall portion and a subsequent to the inclined wall portion, perpendicular to the bottom plate 1 extending wall portion. The bottom plate 1 of the container is smaller and shorter than the top surface and it comes to a seemingly cut portion of the container 10 in the vicinity of the bottom plate 1. Air cargo containers have specific type and size designations such. For example: LD1. Typical but non-limiting dimensions of a device according to the invention

Containers are listed in Table 1.

Container Volume Dimensions Remarks LD1 4.9m3 156BW / 234W χ 153D χ 163H (cm) Specially designed for Boeing 747 LD2 3.4m3 120W / 158W χ 153D χ 163H (cm), half width LD3 4.3m3 156BW / 201W χ 153D χ 163H (cm) chamfered, half width LD6 8.8 m3 318BW / 407W χ 153D χ 163H (cm) chamfered, full width, equivalent to 2 LD3s LD7 sawn off; LD8 6.9 m3 244BW / 318W χ 153D χ 163H (cm) bevelled, full width, equivalent to 2 LD2s; DQF prefix LD9 not bevelled; rectangular LD11 7.2 m3 318W χ 153D χ 163H (cm) same as LD6 but not bevelled; rectangular

Table 1: Dimensions of air cargo containers, BW base length; W. total length

The side frame members 2 and 2 'have a trapezoidal section. The side frame part 2 (Fig. 2a to c) has a partially closed side surface 12, which is closed in the trapezoidal section. The side frame part 2 '(FIGS. 3 a to c) has a fully closed side surface 12.

In the side frame parts 2 and 2 'along the mutually facing inner sides longitudinal grooves 5 (Fig. 2a-c and Fig. 3a to c) are formed. Plate elements 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d (FIGS. 5 to 7b) are introduced into the longitudinal grooves 5 (FIG. 1), or pushed into the longitudinal grooves 5 during assembly. The plate elements 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d in this embodiment are flat, straight plates and consist of a frame 9 made of fiber composite material and a tarpaulin 11 stretched on the frame 9. The tarpaulin 11 may e.g. made of plastic or other suitable tarpaulin material. The plate elements 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are well stackable by their planar shape and can therefore be stored to save space. Alternatively, the plate members 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d may also be rigid plates without frames which are reinforced with struts if necessary.

Between the two side frame parts 2 and 2 ', three transverse struts 3 (FIGS. 9a to 9c) are introduced perpendicular to the side frame parts 2 and 2'. The cross struts 3 are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastics and support the side frame parts 2 and 2 'and prevent slippage of the plate elements 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. The plate elements 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are held in position by the longitudinal grooves 5 of the side frame parts 2, 2 'and the transverse struts 3 and stored in storage. The cross braces 3 are connected to connectors 7 between the cross braces 3 and the side frame members with clips 6. The clips 6 snap into recesses on the in the side frame parts 2 and 2 'formed connectors 7 and secure the crossbars 3 by a positive connection to the side frame parts 2 and 2' and thus clamp the container 10. The entire container 10 is in the invention Embodiment of non-metallic materials and is largely made of fiber-reinforced composite material.

As an alternative to the positive connection of the individual components, e.g. the clips 6 also be positively connected to the container 10. The container may also be made of other materials such as polymeric material, fiber reinforced or non-fiber reinforced.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the components can be stored very well and save space. These can z. B. the plane-flat plate elements 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d and the bottom plate 1 superimposed, then the side frame parts are 2,2 '7/19 7 positioned over it and the cross braces 3 and clips 6 are dazuplatziert. It is thus possible to stack and store or transport several container components or disassembled containers one above the other.

The assembly of the container is briefly explained below:

The assembly of the container is carried out in an embodiment according to the invention according to FIGS. 10a to 10f. The plate member 4a is inserted into a groove of the bottom plate 1 and brought into position (Fig. 10a). Then the two side frame parts 2 and 2 'with the connection points 8 are sunk in the bottom plate 1 and fixed (Fig. 10b). Subsequently, the plate elements 4b, 4c and 4d are successively inserted into the grooves 5 formed in the side frame parts 2 and 2 '(FIGS. 10b to 10d). The three transverse struts 3 are then introduced perpendicular to the side frame parts 2 and 2 'at the corner edges (FIG. 10e). In the last step, the clips 6 are attached to the connectors 7 and the container 10 is thereby braced (FIG. 10f). The connectors form with the cross braces 3 and the side frame members 2 and 2 'while a form-fitting and must be slightly elastically deformed when plugging, so that the clips 6 engage, and thereby powerfully applied.

By way of example, the container or individual parts of the container 10 of fiber reinforced plastic material may be made by reinforcing fibers with a thermoplastic resin, which is especially selected from polyether ketone, polyphenylene sulfides, polysulfones, polyamides, polyetherimides and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the parts of the container 10 may also be made of fiber reinforced plastic material by reinforcing fibers with a thermosetting resin, which is especially selected from epoxy resins, acrylic resins, phenolic resins, vinyl ether resins, bismaleimide resins, unsaturated polyester resins, and mixtures thereof. 8.19

Claims (16)

1. Container for the transport of cargoes in air, consisting of a number of mutually reversibly releasably connectable components made of, in particular fiber-reinforced polymer material or composite material, characterized in that a bottom plate (1) and two side frame parts (2, 2 ') is provided are mounted on opposite edges of the bottom plate (1) perpendicular to the bottom plate (1), wherein in the region between the side frame parts (2, 2 ') at least three plate elements (4a, 4b, 4c) are inserted, wherein the side frame parts ( 2, 2 ') by at least two, in particular normal to the side frame members (2, 2') aligned, transverse struts (3) are connected, and wherein the bottom plate (1), the side frame parts (2, 2 '), the plate elements (4a , 4b, 4c) and the transverse struts (3) are reversibly releasably connected positively or non-positively with each other. 2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the transverse struts (3) with the side frame parts (2, 2 ') via clips (6) are positively or non-positively connectable and wherein the clips (6) with the transverse struts (3) and / or the side frame parts (2, 2 ') are formsehlüssig or non-positively connectable. 3. Container according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein in the region between the side frame parts (2, 2 ') four plate elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are used. 4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) in the side frame parts (2, 2 ') formed longitudinal grooves (5) can be inserted. 5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) comprise a frame (9), which is covered with a tarpaulin (11) or are rigid plates. 6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and / or the bottom plate 1 and / or the side frame parts (2, 2 ') are flat plan and save space storable. 7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frame parts (2, 2 ') partially closed, in particular a closed and partially closed, side surfaces (12). 9/19 2 8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frame parts (2, 2 ') have a trapezoidal portion. 9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frame parts (2, 2 ') are aligned parallel to each other and / or the plate elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) perpendicular to the side frame parts (2, 2') are aligned. 10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frame parts (2, 2 ') connection points (8), wherein the connection points (8) in the bottom plate (1) teilversenkt, in particular inserted, are. 11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (10) from the bottom plate (1) obliquely outwardly extending wall portion and a subsequent to the inclined wall portion, perpendicular to the bottom plate (1) extending wall portion. 12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components of the container (10) via plug connections (7) are connectable. 13. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in connections (7) consist of non-metallic materials. 14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom plate (1) is constructed as a sandwich construction. 15. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the constructed from the releasably connectable components container (10) is designed as a modular system. 16. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (10), in particular completely, is free of metallic materials. 10/19